Button Mushroom Production: Compost & Casing
Learn the compost phases, casing materials and climate steering behind commercial Agaricus bisporus production.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Button Mushroom Production: Compost & Casing
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Mushroom Cultivation & Production. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
Button Mushroom Production: Compost and Casing explains the process behind Agaricus bisporus, the white and brown mushrooms found in most supermarkets. You will follow the compost through Phase I, Phase II and Phase III, learning how raw materials, water, turning and temperature create a selective substrate. The course covers spawning, casing soil preparation and case running, then the climate steering that triggers pinning and controls the size and quality of each flush, ending with picking, grading and farm hygiene.
Button mushroom production is a highly technical, industrial process, and even experienced staff benefit from understanding why each step matters. Small deviations in compost or climate show up quickly as lower yields or disease. This course suits Agaricus growers, technicians and staff joining a commercial farm. In the final project you analyse a crop cycle, real or provided as a case, identifying how compost quality, casing and climate decisions affected yield and quality, and propose improvements reviewed by your tutor.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in cultivation, useful in areas such as commercial Agaricus production, compost and casing supply, fresh produce packing, agricultural technical services.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Learn the compost phases, casing materials and climate steering behind commercial Agaricus bisporus production.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Agaricus Biology and Strains; Compost Phase I and II.
- Put them into practice: Spawning and Phase III Compost; Casing Soil and Case Running.
- Apply everything to a real case: Pinning and Climate Steering; Picking, Grading and Hygiene.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Explain the purpose of each compost phase in Agaricus production.
- Recognise indicators of good and poor compost quality.
- Describe casing materials and correct case running practice.
- Steer climate to trigger pinning and manage flushes.
- Apply picking, grading and hygiene standards on a commercial farm.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Agaricus growers and technicians.
4.2Entry requirements
Basic knowledge of mushroom growing or work experience on a farm is helpful. No specific equipment is required.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Grower or room manager on a button mushroom farm
- Compost yard technician
- Quality and grading supervisor
- Technical sales representative for compost or casing suppliers
- Trainee farm manager in Agaricus production
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Agaricus Biology and Strains | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Compost Phase I and II | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Spawning and Phase III Compost | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Casing Soil and Case Running | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Pinning and Climate Steering | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Picking, Grading and Hygiene | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Agaricus bisporus biology
- White and brown strains
- The industrial crop cycle
- Straw, manure and gypsum
- Phase I composting and turning
- Phase II pasteurisation and conditioning
- Spawning methods and rates
- Phase III bulk spawn running
- Compost quality indicators
- Peat and alternative casing materials
- Casing preparation and application
- Case running and ruffling
- Airing and pinning
- Temperature, humidity and CO2 steering
- Flush management
- Picking technique and timing
- Grading and packing
- Hygiene and end-of-crop cook-out
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
An analysis of an Agaricus crop cycle identifying the effect of compost, casing and climate decisions, with proposed improvements.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Students are assessed through participation in live sessions and case-based module exercises. The final project is reviewed by the tutor with written feedback.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Cultivation school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Button Mushroom Production: Compost & Casing?
Basic knowledge of mushroom growing or work experience on a farm is helpful. No specific equipment is required.
How is Button Mushroom Production: Compost & Casing taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Students are assessed through participation in live sessions and case-based module exercises. The final project is reviewed by the tutor with written feedback.
What is the final project?
An analysis of an Agaricus crop cycle identifying the effect of compost, casing and climate decisions, with proposed improvements.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Button Mushroom Production: Compost & Casing?
The natural next step is Diploma in Gourmet Mushroom Production.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
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CultivationHow to Grow Oyster Mushrooms at Home: Step-by-Step GuideOyster mushrooms are the most forgiving gourmet species to grow. This step-by-step guide takes you from straw and spawn to your first harvest, and on to a small farm.Read the article Keep branching.
From our species guide.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).